November 3, 2009
Docs say Blue Cross is trying to circumvent law
Physicians have sent a letter to North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin objecting to an attempt by Blue Cross to get around the provisions of a new law that goes into effect in 2010.
Here is what the doctors say in part:
We are writing on behalf of our associations and the physicians we represent to express our concern about a contract addendum recently distributed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and to request a meeting with you to address our concerns. We believe the contract addendum is non-compliant with Senate Bill 877 and demonstrates an effort by BCBSNC to circumvent the letter, intent and effects of a very hard-fought and important change to the general statutes. In approving Senate Bill 877, the General Assembly agreed that BCBSNC should not be able to make arbitrary changes to contracts without consent from doctors.
Apparently the contract addition from Blue Cross says that contracts can be altered in a variety of ways without the consent of doctors as long as the doctors have 90 days notice.
It seems there are other nasty provisions as well, including a process whereby Blue Cross will immediately begin terminating a physician’s contract if the physician objects to the insurance company altering a contract.
This sort of behavior is why many doctors don’t like dealing with Blue Cross. And the recent post card campaign is why many individuals don’t like dealing with Blue Cross. That’s why people need another option — a public option — to compete with the Blue Cross monopoly.
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7 Comments Add yours »
Does Big Blue own the State of North Carolina? Big Blue calls the tune and patients and doctors have to dance to it. I think in this case the State Workers need a new insurance provider.
If it doesn’t own NC I’m sure Blue Cross at least has a no-bid contract to administer the state.
lot of state workers and former BC/BS employees are for single payer
From the recent Elon polling it looks like nearly half of NC is in favor of single payer.
[...] Now, physicians have sent a letter to N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, claiming that Blue Cross is trying to get around provisions of a new law controlling contracts between doctors and insurance companies. Read about it in more detail here. [...]
I like how you guys rail on “special interests” but then post this crap from a special interest group.
Thanks, we like it too.